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Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can result from both physiological and pathological events, the etiology of underlying IDA should be determined. Helicobacter pylori infection in children has mostly been associated with recurrent abdominal pain, gastric dyspepsia, or duodenal-ulcer. Other extra-digestive tract conditions such as iron deficiency or IDA have been recently related to the H. pylori infection. Aims and Objectives: To find out the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children aged 2–18 years with IDA in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Across-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur for a period of 1 year. A total of 52 children aged between 2 and 18 years with anemia (as per the WHO criteria of anemia) were evaluated for complete blood count, peripheral blood film and serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and two biopsy specimen evaluated for H. pylori and histopathological changes. Normally distributed data means were compared using student’s t-test unpaired and paired. Proportions were compared using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori in our study population was 32.69%. In children with H. pylori infection mean S.iron was 25.78±10.24 μg/dl, mean S.TIBC 544.66±91.68 μg/dl, and mean S.ferritin was 6.07±3.00 μg/dl. There was statistically significant difference in serum iron, S.TIBC and S.ferritin between children having H. pylori infection and without H. pylori infection(P

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Peptides are sustainable alternatives to conventional therapeutics for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) linked disorders, promising biocompatible and tailorable next-generation therapeutics for metabolic disorders including type-2 diabetes, as agonists of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). However, single agonist peptides activating GLP-1R to stimulate insulin secretion also suppress obesity-linked glucagon release. Hence, bioactive peptides cotargeting GCGR and GLP-1R may remediate the blood glucose and fatty acid metabolism imbalance, tackling both diabetes and obesity to supersede current monoagonist therapy. Here, we design and model optimized peptide sequences starting from peptide sequences derived from earlier phage-displayed library screening, identifying those with predicted molecular binding profiles for dual agonism of GCGR and GLP-1R. We derive design rules from extensive molecular dynamics simulations based on peptide-receptor binding. Our newly designed coagonist peptide exhibits improved predicted coupled binding affinity for GCGR and GLP-1R relative to endogenous ligands and could in the future be tested experimentally, which may provide superior glycemic and weight loss control.

The process of examining the data flow over the internet to identify abnormalities in wireless network performance is known as network traffic analysis. When analyzing network traffic data, traffic classification becomes an important task. The traffic data classification is used to determine whether data in network traffic is in real-time or not. This analysis controls network traffic data in a network and allows for efficient network performance improvement. Real-time and non-real-time data are effectively classified from the given input data set using data mining clustering and classification algorithms. The proposed work focuses on the performance of traffic data classification with high clustering accuracy and low Classification Time (CT). This research work is carried out to fill the gap in the existing network traffic classification algorithms. However, the traffic data classification remained unaddressed for performing the network traffic analysis effectively. Then, we proposed an Enhanced Self-Learning-based Clustering Scheme (ESLCS) using an enhanced unsupervised algorithm and adaptive seeding approach to improve the classification accuracy while performing the real-time traffic data distribution in wireless networks. Test-bed results demonstrate that the proposed model enhances the clustering accuracy and True Positive Rate (TPR) effectively as well as reduces the CT time and Communication Overhead (CO) substantially to compare with the peer-existing routing techniques., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Strong training is known to form long-term memory (LTM) as it is an inducer for both a learning tag (just like a synaptic tag/molecular tag) and plasticity-related proteins (PRPs), while weak training is an inducer of only a learning tag. However, weak training can also lead to LTM if paired with another behavioral task (open field in our study-a representative of a novel environment) around the time of PRP arrival. Weak behavioral training is a learning tag inducer, while the open field is a PRP inducer. The learning tag then captures these PRPs to form LTM. This is the basis of behavioral tagging (BT). BT is a well-known model for the evaluation of a few learning and memory forms. In this work, we examined the role of glutamate and D1/D5 (dopamine) receptors in the synthesis of a novel object recognition (NOR) tag (learning) as well as in PRP arrival, which come together to form NOR-LTM. Employing antagonists and/or agonists preceding or proceeding the open field and/or NOR training, it was revealed that the activation/stimulation of D1/D5 (dopamine) receptors and glutamatergic NMDA receptors plays a critical part in PRP arrival. We found that the activation/stimulation of NMDA receptors also contributes to the setting of the learning tag. Moreover, changes in glutamate, dopamine, and GABA neurotransmitter levels were also analyzed. These findings thus demonstrate the critical time window required for NOR-LTM formation based on the process of BT along with the role of activation/stimulation of D1/D5 (dopamine) receptors and NMDA receptors in the arrival of PRPs and learning tags for NOR-LTM formation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Purpose: To evaluate differences in diffusion imaging parameters, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), in control and diabetic subjects, and to assess changes in these parameters to patient's urine albumin/protein levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA 1c )., Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study involving 100 patients who underwent diffusion imaging including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the kidneys in our hospital from 2019 to 2020. Diffusion imaging parameters (ADC and FA) were obtained from the medulla and cortex of both kidneys using dedicated software. Statistical analysis was done., Results: Out of 100 subjects, 27 were controls and 73 were diabetics (19 normoalbuminuric, 23 microalbuminuric, and 31 proteinuric). The medullary FA (0.419 ± 0.024 vs. 0.346 ± 0.042), cortical FA (0.194 ± 0.035 vs. 0.303 ± 0.067), and cortical ADC (3.307 ± 0.341 vs. 2.309 ± 0.515) values showed significant differences between controls and diabetics. Medullary FA and cortical ADC values showed a decreasing trend with an increasing amount of albumin/protein in the urine, decreasing renal function (reducing eGFR), and increasing HbA 1c , whereas the trend was opposite for cortical FA. In addition, on ROC curve analysis a cut-off value for medullary FA of 0.4 had a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 80.95% to differentiate healthy volunteers and diabetics with normo-albuminuria., Conclusions: DTI has the potential to be a promising non-invasive test for the detection of early renal parenchymal changes in diabetic nephropathy., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (© Pol J Radiol 2022.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Learning and memory are one of those frontier areas of neurobiology which attract us to investigate the intricacy of this process. Here, we aimed to investigate the general mechanism of "Behavioural Tagging and Capture" in long term memory (LTM) formation and to find the key factors playing role in consolidation of LTM. In this study, we've shown that not only plasticity related proteins (PRPs) but neurotransmitters and immediate early genes (IEGs) also play an important role in memory formation process. It's very well evident that memory traces can last longer if close in time novelty is introduced around memory encoding. Here our results point out that this novelty exploration acts as a modulator in memory consolidation by providing PRPs such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), enhancing neurotransmitters (Dopamine), IEGs (cFos) and some enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), sodium-potassium ATPase (Na + K + -ATPase). Therefore, by using a Novel Object Recognition task (NOR) in combination with novel task exposure, we evaluated the role of molecular markers in memory consolidation employing a behavioural tagging model. The purpose of the current study was first to evaluate the effect of novelty exposure around a single trail of NOR task in a critical time window on memory consolidation in rats after 24 h and second to determine the expression of BDNF, CREB, c-fos, AChE, MAO, Na + K + -ATPase as potential markers in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during memory formation. In the present study, to identify and validate the role of these molecular signatures in memory consolidation, infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor Anisomycin (Ani) was done around the training session that causes a deficit in the formation of LTM when tested 24 h after weak encoding. Altogether, here we are providing the first comprehensive set of evidences indicating that BDNF, CREB, dopamine, some enzymes and c-fos role in modulating LTM by employing behavioural tagging model., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Aim: To compare the regenerative potential of platelet-rich fibrin alone and in combination with bovine bone graft in intraosseous defect by the single flap approach., Materials and Methods: A total of 32 sites of intrabony defects were selected and were treated with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) alone or in combination with bovine bone graft. Clinical parameters [Gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), Gingival recession, and radiographic parameters (defect fill, alveolar crest level, and defect depth)] were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months., Results: Statistical analysis was done by independent and paired t -test. There were statistically significant changes in GI, PD reduction, CAL gain, defect fill, alveolar crest level changes, and defect depth resolution from baseline, 3 months, and 6 months in both the groups ( P < 0.001). On intergroup comparison, Group II showed statistically significant changes in a reduction in pocket depth and defect depth resolution at P < 0.001., Conclusion: PRF in combination with bovine bone graft was more effective in the treatment of intrabony defects., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry.)

Instead of only focusing on the targeted drug delivery system, researchers have a great interest in developing peptide-based therapies for the procurement of numerous class of diseases. The main idea behind this is to anchor the properties of the receptor to design peptide-based therapeutics. As these macromolecules have distinct physicochemical properties over small molecules, it becomes an obligatory field for the treatment of diseases. For this, various in silico models have been developed to speculate the proteins by virtue of the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence. By analysing the properties and structural alert of toxic proteins, researchers aim to dissert some of the mechanisms of protein toxicity from which therapeutic insights may be drawn. Numerous models already exist worldwide emphasizing themselves as leading paramount for toxicity prediction in protein macromolecules. Few of them comparatively compete with the other predictive protein toxicity models and convincingly give a high-performance result in terms of accuracy. But their foundation is quite ambiguous, and varying approaches are found at the level of toxicoproteomic data utilization while building a machine learning model. In this review work, we present the contribution of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in prediction of protein toxicity using proteomics data., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Physicochemical n-Grams Tool (PnGT) is an open-source standalone software for calculating physicochemical descriptors of protein. PnGT was developed using the Python scripting language and developed the user interface using Tkinter. The software currently calculates 33 physicochemical descriptors along with the sequence length for the given protein primary sequence. The descriptor generated by this tool can be directly utilized as the feature vector for the development of proteomics statistical or machine learning predictive model., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have critical roles in several neurological and psychiatric diseases. Dizocilpine (MK-801) is a ligand at phencyclidine recognition sites that is associated with NMDA receptor-coupled cation channels, where it acts as a potent noncompetitive antagonist of central glutamate receptors. In this study, we investigate the effect of clozapine on MK-801-induced neurochemical and neurobehavioral alterations in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Acute administration of NMDA noncompetitive antagonist MK-801 impairs motor coordination, grip strength, and locomotor activity. Clozapine is the only medication that is indicated for treating refractory schizophrenia, due to its superior efficacy among all antipsychotic agents; however, its mechanism is not well understood. To understand its mechanism, we investigated the effects of clozapine on motor coordination, locomotor activity, and grip strength in mice against the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. MK-801 induced elevations in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, and c-fos expression. The administration of clozapine inhibited the effects caused by MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg body weight). Motor coordination and grip strength paradigms that had been altered by MK-801 were restored by clozapine. Moreover, clozapine also ameliorated MK-801-induced elevation in AChE and MAO activity. Our immunostaining results demonstrated that clozapine treatment reduced overexpression of the neuronal activity marker c-fos in cortices of the brain. Results of the current study determine that clozapine ameliorated cognition in MK-801-treated mice via cholinergic and neural mechanisms. These findings show that clozapine possesses the potential to augment cognition in diseases such as schizophrenia.

Background: Melatonin is a neurohormone that is linked to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of melatonin in attenuating MK-801 induced schizophrenia-like behavioral and brain neurotoxicity markers., Methods: Swiss albino mice were assigned into three groups (n = 6). Animals were administered MK-801 (1 mg/kg/mL, i.p.). MK-801 treated animals were supplemented with melatonin (10 mg/kg/1 mL i.p.) 10 min prior to MK-801 injection. The relative degrees of modulation of induced behaviors by melatonin were assessed in the open field, elevated plus maze, grip strength and rota rod. The changes in neurotoxicity enzymes and neuronal activity (c-fos) were demonstrated in this study., Results: MK-801 injection effected normal open-field behaviors, c-fos expression, motor coordination and muscular strength. Melatonin was able to reduce the histological changes in the prefrontal cortex of mice brain., Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that the treatment with melatonin attenuates the schizophrenic like symptoms in the mice having a protective effect on prefrontal cortex region of brain by mitigating the alteration of neurotoxicity markers. The protective effect of the treatment was shown to reduced elevation of AChE, c-fos expression and histopathological alterations., (Copyright © 2019 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There are many evidences in support of Behavioral Tagging hypothesis that relies on the setting of a learning tag and the synthesis of plasticity related proteins (PRPs). It explains that how a learning tag produced as a result of weak training can be paired up with PRPs that arrive as a result of novelty and consequently lead to long lasting memories. In the following review we have focused on possible involvement of PKMζ, Arc as PRPs and neurotransmitter receptor systems ACh, metabotropic glutamate in behavioral tagging along with evidences in support of involvement of dopamine, NMDA glutamate and β-adrenergic receptor systems in behavioral tagging., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

New information acquired by our brain is stored in the form of two types of memories: short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM). Initially, Synaptic and Capture hypothesis has been proposed to describe the synaptic changes that occur during memory formation. However, recently Behavioral Tagging hypothesis was proposed that relies on the setting of a learning tag and the synthesis of plasticity related proteins (PRPs). Behavioral Tagging has its roots in Synaptic and Capture hypothesis. It seeks to explain that how a learning tag produced as a result of weak training can be paired up with PRPs (formed as a result of novelty) and can lead to long lasting memories. We have focused on describing behavioral paradigms that have been used for establishing the model of "Behavioral Tagging" and the molecules which qualify for potential PRP candidature., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Oxidative stress has been projected as a promising mechanism involved in lead exposure. The lead predisposition catalyzes oxidative reactions and generates reactive oxygen species. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral administration of tannic acid (TA) on behavioral deficit, antioxidative deterioration induced by lead acetate (LA) exposure on experimental rat brain. Male Wistar rats were treated with 50mg/kg body weight of LA and TA for three times a week for two weeks. Our data showed LA-induced profound elevation of ROS production and oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased levels of oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl observed in LA treated rats, whereas significant depletion in the activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants, enzymatic antioxidants, neurotoxicity biomarker and histological changes were observed in LA treated rat brain. However, TA administration restored antioxidant status of brain significantly when compared to control. Our results demonstrate that TA exhibits potent antioxidant properties and suppresses oxidative damages in rat brain induced by LA treatment. These findings were further supported by the neurotoxicity biomarker and histopathological findings in the brain tissue showed that TA protected tissue from deleterious effects of LA exposure. It is concluded, these data suggest that LA induces oxidative stress and supplementation of TA has a powerful antioxidant effect, and it protected rat brain from poisonous effect of LA exposure in experimental rat., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Epilepsy is thought to be associated with oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The enhanced synthesis and release of oxygen free radicals is linked to the low and oxidative potential of the central nervous system. Glutamate excitotoxicity also contributes significantly to the production of reactive nitrogen species that cause nitrosative stress. A decrease in adenosine triphosphate synthesis, which leads to free radical formation, is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The brain is very much susceptible to degeneration and oxidative stress because of its low antioxidant enzyme activity. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has remarkable antioxidant properties. Melatonin and its analogs that bind to melatonin receptors have a significant role in suppressing seizures. Melatonin scavenges oxygen free radicals such as hydroxyl radical, peroxy radical, peroxynitrite anion, and superoxide radical and stimulates synthesis of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, which are potent antioxidant enzymes. Melatonin administration has been shown to be effective in both experimental models and patients suffering from epilepsy. In this review, we compile the literature supporting consequences of seizures and the protective role of melatonin during seizures.

Introduction: Coronal and apical leakage still remains one of the most important cause for endodontic failure in spite of the presence of advanced endodontic materials. The cause may attribute to different filling techniques, physical and chemical properties of sealers and presence or absence of smear layer assessment of coronal or apical leakage is used as a research method to compare the sealing ability of different techniques and endodontic materials., Aim: To compare the coronal bacterial leakage using methylene blue in four different obturation techniques after protaper hand instrumentation., Materials and Methods: Ninety extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented to an apical preparation size F3 Protaper hand files. Twenty teeth were randomly obturated with lateral compaction, 20 with vertical compaction, 20 with combination of vertical and lateral compaction and 20 with Thermafil. Ten teeth were used for positive and negative controls (five teeth in each group). Teeth were kept in 100% humidity for 90 days, and then subjected coronally to Proteus vulgaris for 21 days to assess bacterial leakage. After bacterial challenge, methylene blue was placed coronally for another 21 days, and then scoring was done according to depth of dye leakage. Chi-square test was done for statistical analysis., Results: Leakage as observed with combination of vertical and lateral compaction was significantly less than vertical compaction, lateral compaction and thermafil carriers during bacterial challenge. However, when dye was used it also showed statistically significant results with thermafil carriers showing the least leakage in comparison to vertical condensation, lateral condensation and combined groups., Conclusion: The study concludes that two different methods i.e. bacterial and dye leakage revealed considerable variation on the same substrate Thus, due to the presence of variability among the results obtained by two different analytical methods used in the present study, the study emphasizes the need for standardization of methods as the lack of standardization hinders the comparison of different endodontic filling techniques.